The Detection of Fungal Growth in Cellulosic Textiles

Abstract

A staining test has been developed for the detection of the presence of fungal hyphae in cellulosic fibers. It is a modification of the Pianese IIIb test and depends on a simple differentiation in color between fungal hyphae and substrate. The test can be used to detect superficial growth, or more deep-seated growth such as that associated with the cellulolytic breakdown of the fiber. The test has been found to he successful over a range of cellulosic fibers. including dyed fibers. It may be of use in estimating the degree of maturity in cotton and in detecting the presence of fungal damage in raw cotton. A survey of previously described staining methods for the detection of micro biological damage is given.